Word Origin & History

forgive O.E. forgiefan "give, grant, allow," also "to give up" and "to give in marriage;" from for- "completely" + giefan "give" (see give). The modern sense of "to give up desire or power to punish" is from use of the compound as a Gmc. loan-translation of L. perdonare (cf. Du. vergeven, Ger. vergeben; see pardon). Related: Forgiven; forgiving

Example Sentences for forgiven

What mistakes and delusions could not be forgiven to one so unwearyingly good?

He should go with a lighter heart now Laurie had forgiven him.

I had a right to take care of myself; yet will I never be forgiven.

Forgive me; much should be forgiven a man who has suffered much.

In the first place, much could be forgiven to the man who owned Palgrave's Folly.

He replied that he had forgiven that; but would she be good enough to make him forget it?

They begged that their back rent might be forgiven them, and their future rents lowered.

If Ellen will return to her father immediately all will be forgiven.

He never knew it; and had he known it, he would have forgiven me; but I could not forgive myself.

You are very good to have forgiven us for refusing you; but you see—a prince!